Seattle Seahawks mum on New England Patriots’ ‘DeflateGate’

Official Super Bowl XLIX game balls sit in a bin before being laced and inflated at the Wilson Sporting Goods Co. in Ada, Ohio. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)

On Tuesday, an ESPN report claimed that NFL officials found 11 of the 12 New England Patriots game footballs were underinflated by two pounds per square inch in last week’s AFC championship win. The underinflated balls would apparently make it easier for New England quarterback Tom Brady to throw the ball in the cold, rainy conditions the Patriots faced on Sunday versus the Indianapolis Colts.

The ESPN report started a firestorm of activity on social media, with some dubbing the episode “DeflateGate,” and portraying it as the latest attempt by Patriots head coach Bill Belichick to bend the rules in pursuit of victory.

But on Wednesday, Seahawks players shied away from adding to the controversy with any inflammatory comments of their own.

“I don’t know anything about that,” quarterback Russell Wilson said when asked about the incident. “Obviously they’re a great team.”

“Can I really answer this question?” Doug Baldwin asked while flanked by a member of the Seahawks’ public relations staff following a question regarding underinflated balls. He eventually decided he couldn’t, telling reporters, “I’m trying to be on my best behavior right now.”

Cornerback Richard Sherman, one of the most outspoken Seahawks players, addressed the situation tangentially, saying he didn’t know if any of the balls he’d intercepted over the years were missing any air.

“I’d have to go back to my collection and check ’em now. I don’t know. I’ve got to see if there are pounds missing or anything like that,” he told reporters. “No, I’ve never heard of that, and I’m not sure anything will come of it, honestly, if it’s true or if it’s not true.”

Sherman wouldn’t weigh in on whether or not he thought the Patriots had cheated, but indicated that if they had, their gamble paid off.

“If it’s against the rules, it’s against the rules,” Sherman said. “But you see, it’s not going to have any effect on this game. Nobody’s going to get suspended. Nothing’s going to happen. They’re going to play this game. Whatever they did, the risk-reward was greater.”

Some Seahawks players found the whole conversation bewildering.

“This is just so funny, because we’re really talking about footballs,” wide receiver Jermaine Kearse said, channeling his inner Allen Iverson. “We’re not talking about the game, we’re talking about footballs, not the game, but the balls.”

And as far as the Seahawks’ game balls go, Wilson said he had very few requirements.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tosses a ball back as he warms-up at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson tosses a ball back as he warms-up at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in ... more

Photo: Elaine Thompson / AP

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Seattle Seahawks' James Carpenter smiles at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks' James Carpenter smiles at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine ... more

Photo: Elaine Thompson / AP

Image 3 of 15

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson smiles as he talks with coaches at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson smiles as he talks with coaches at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in ... more

Photo: Elaine Thompson / AP

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Seattle Seahawks' Robert Turbin, center, talks with quarterback Russell Wilson at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks' Robert Turbin, center, talks with quarterback Russell Wilson at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in ... more

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reaches for a ball as he warms-up at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reaches for a ball as he warms-up at practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl Feb. 1 in ... more

Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman runs in NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks are to play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Feb. 1, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson) less

Seattle Seahawks' Richard Sherman runs in NFL football practice Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2015, in Renton, Wash. The Seahawks are to play the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl, Feb. 1, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP ... more